One of the nation's best -- and biggest -- defensive tackles is set to announce his college decision on Thursday as Elizabethtown, Ken., star Matt Elam is scheduled to choose between Alabama and Kentucky at a news conference at his high school at noon, Eastern time.

Elam, a 6-foot-5, 370-pound lineman, is rated the nation's No. 3 defensive tackle by 247Sports and has been the subject of a rare recruiting battle between the Crimson Tide and the Wildcats. Elam has repeatedly stated his excitement about the idea of playing for the home state Wildcats, who have put together a top 15 recruiting class nationally. Meanwhile, Alabama continues to push to make Elam a part of their top-ranked class and have intrigued the massive lineman with the idea of following in the footsteps of Alabama nose guards like Terrence Cody and Jesse Williams.

Which school will he choose? Let us know what you think by voting in our poll and check out what our recruiting experts think below.

Prediction: ALABAMA. While the average fan may look at a recruit's decision between Alabama and Kentucky as no real decision at all, there's plenty of appeal for a star player from the Bluegrass State to stay home and play for what many perceive to be a rising program. Mark Stoops and his staff have generate nearly unprecedented excitement for the Wilcats' program and have put together a phenomenal recruiting class as a result. I think this will be a close decision but Elam and his family's insistence on the importance of developing as an NFL prospect makes me think the Crimson Tide simply have too many advantages for Elam to turn them down.

Mike Herndon
SEC football/recruiting reporter

Prediction: KENTUCKY. So Matt Elam abruptly sets an announcement date for this week after visiting Kentucky over the weekend and tweeting excitedly about the crowd at Rupp Arena chanting his name. That may mean nothing. It may mean it wasn't enough. Or it may mean that he's decided he wants to be an immediate hero in his home state, the five-star (according to 247Sports) who will be the foundation upon which Kentucky will build. This is a classic case of choosing between going off to play for the big dog or staying put and playing for your home state, and Elam has been very good about keeping his cards close to his chest. But I'm thinking that after last weekend, the home ties win out.